WO2007104703A1 - An electronic device for electrical power distribution. - Google Patents

An electronic device for electrical power distribution. Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2007104703A1
WO2007104703A1 PCT/EP2007/052192 EP2007052192W WO2007104703A1 WO 2007104703 A1 WO2007104703 A1 WO 2007104703A1 EP 2007052192 W EP2007052192 W EP 2007052192W WO 2007104703 A1 WO2007104703 A1 WO 2007104703A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
electronic device
input
output terminals
electrically connected
electrical
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/EP2007/052192
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Diego Bortot
Original Assignee
Elettrolab S.R.L.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Elettrolab S.R.L. filed Critical Elettrolab S.R.L.
Publication of WO2007104703A1 publication Critical patent/WO2007104703A1/en

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Classifications

    • HELECTRICITY
    • H05ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05BELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL
    • H05B47/00Circuit arrangements for operating light sources in general, i.e. where the type of light source is not relevant
    • H05B47/20Responsive to malfunctions or to light source life; for protection
    • H05B47/23Responsive to malfunctions or to light source life; for protection of two or more light sources connected in series
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H05ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05BELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL
    • H05B45/00Circuit arrangements for operating light-emitting diodes [LED]
    • H05B45/40Details of LED load circuits
    • H05B45/44Details of LED load circuits with an active control inside an LED matrix
    • H05B45/48Details of LED load circuits with an active control inside an LED matrix having LEDs organised in strings and incorporating parallel shunting devices

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an electronic device for electrical power distribution, for use in civil and industrial low- voltage electronic applications.
  • the present invention refers to an electronic device, which is capable of distributing electrical power to a plurality of loads electrically connected in series.
  • a current generator provides electrical power to a plurality of electrical loads consisting, for instance, of solid-state lighting appliances, such as power LED (Light Emitting Diodes) devices. These electrical loads are generally powered by a current and are consequently connected in series with one another.
  • Certain, more complex electronic applications such as lighting networks with several chromatic channels, include homogeneous groups of electrical loads.
  • each group comprises the LED lighting devices belonging to the same chromatic channel.
  • the electrical loads are connected in series with one another. The serial connection of the above-mentioned electrical loads has certain drawbacks.
  • a first drawback derives from the fact that the failure of any one of the electrical loads automatically cuts off the electrical current along the whole set of loads connected in series. Still in the field of electronic ambient lighting networks, this means that the failure of one LED device causes an interruption in the service of the whole chromatic channel to which the faulty device belongs. As a consequence, it may be very difficult to identify the failure and replace the faulty LED device.
  • the main technical aim of the present invention is thus to realize an electronic device for electrical power distribution that enables the above-described drawbacks to be overcome.
  • an object of the present invention is to realize an electronic device that is particularly suitable for use in industrial low- voltage electronic applications, and particularly in electronic ambient lighting networks.
  • Another object of the present invention is to realize an electronic device that facilitates the installation of even very extensive and complex groups of electrical loads in series.
  • Another object of the present invention is to realize an electronic device that enables the operational functioning of a group of electrical loads connected in series even in the event of a fault in one or more of said loads.
  • a further object of the present invention is to realize an electronic device that enables a quick and effective identification of any installation errors and/or any faults in the serially connected electrical loads.
  • Another object of the present invention is to realize an electronic device that is easy to manufacture and at a competitive cost.
  • figure 1 schematically illustrates a first embodiment of the electronic device, according to the present invention, comprising only one group of electrical loads connected in series
  • figure 2 schematically illustrates a further embodiment of an electronic device, according to the present invention, comprising three groups of electrical loads connected in series
  • figure 3 illustrates a further embodiment of the electronic device, according to the present invention, already illustrated in figure 2
  • figure 4 schematically illustrates an electronic network comprising several electronic devices, according to the present invention.
  • the present invention refers to an electronic device 1 for electrical power distribution, particularly suitable for implementing the connection of several electrical loads 2 connected in series with one another.
  • the electrical loads 2 may be of any type.
  • the electrical loads 2 may consist of LED type lighting devices, for instance.
  • the electronic device 1 comprises a plurality of first connection units 10, connected in series with one another.
  • the connection units 10 preferably consist of known electronic devices, of the RJ45 type.
  • the number of said connection units 10 may vary according to need.
  • an electronic device 1 may comprise M connection units 10, where M is an integer of two or more.
  • Each connection unit 10 is complete with one or more pairs of input/output terminals.
  • the number of the pairs of input/output terminals can vary according to need. Generally speaking, this number amounts to N, where N is one or more.
  • each connection unit 10 comprises only one pair of input/output terminals (Ia, Ib), whereas in figure 2, each connection unit 10 comprises three pairs of input/output terminals (Ia, Ib), (2a, 2b) and (3a, 3b).
  • Each pair of input/output terminals is connected to an electrical load 2, and to first electronic means 3, connected in parallel with the electrical load 2.
  • the first electronic means 3 are capable of short- circuiting the electrical load 2, thereby excluding it from the series connection.
  • the first electronic means 3 preferably comprise a bypass device consisting, for instance, of a circuit breaker that can be operated directly by the user or by a remote control device (not shown), when the user decides to exclude the corresponding electrical load 2 from the connection in series, or when said load 2 is absent.
  • a bypass device consisting, for instance, of a circuit breaker that can be operated directly by the user or by a remote control device (not shown), when the user decides to exclude the corresponding electrical load 2 from the connection in series, or when said load 2 is absent.
  • the first connection units 10 are connected in series with one another. This means that the corresponding pairs of input/output terminals of the first connection units of the electronic device are connected in series with one another.
  • the output terminals Ib, 2b and 3b of the pairs of terminals (Ia, Ib), (2a, 2b) and (3a, 3b) of the connection unit 10a are respectively connected to the input terminals Ia, 2a and 3a of the pairs of terminals (Ia, Ib), (2a, 2b) and (3a, 3b) of the connection unit 10b.
  • connection unit 10b The output terminals Ib, 2b and 3b of the pairs of terminals (Ia, Ib), (2a, 2b) and (3a, 3b) of the connection unit 10b are in turn connected to the input terminals Ib, 2b and 3b of the pairs of terminals (Ia, Ib), (2a, 2b) and (3a, 3b) of the connection unit 10c. It is easy to see that this type of connection can be repeated for all the M connection units 10 in the electronic device 1. It is also evident that the set of electrical loads 2, each of which is connected, for instance, to a pair of terminals (Ia, Ib) of each connection unit 10, forms a group of electrical loads 2 connected in series with one another.
  • Each electronic device 1 thus contains N groups of electrical loads, each of said groups comprising M electrical loads 2, connected in series with one another. Each group can be advantageously powered separately.
  • the electronic device 1 is particularly suitable for the creation of low- voltage electronic power distribution networks, i.e. for voltages below 3KV.
  • the input terminals of the pairs of input/output terminals of the first of the connection units 10 can be advantageously connected to an electrical power source 100 (to close the power distribution circuit) or to another electronic device 1 situated upstream.
  • the output terminals of the pairs of input/output terminals of the last of said connection units can be connected to the electrical power source 100 or to another electronic device 1 situated downstream.
  • each electronic device 1 preferably comprises a second input connection unit 4, connected in series upstream from the first connection units 10 to connect the electronic device 1 to another electronic device 1 situated upstream, or to an electrical power source 100.
  • the electronic device 1 comprises a third output connection unit 5, which is connected in series downstream from the first connection units 10.
  • the output connection unit 5 connects the electronic device 1 to another electronic device situated downstream.
  • Connection means 3 can be advantageously associated with the connection unit 5 to exclude the devices connected downstream, as necessary.
  • Using the electronic means 3 enables a single electrical load 2 that has failed, that has not been connected correctly, or that is absent, to be excluded from the connection in series, thus enabling the remainder of the group to which the electrical load belongs to function normally. At the same time, it also enables the rapid identification of an electrical load 2 that is not functioning. This enables a drastic reduction in the timing and costs of installation and servicing of an electronic network that includes one or more electrical loads connected in series with one another.
  • the electronic device 1 comprises a printed circuit 7 whereon connection traces 8 are prepared using known methods in order to connect the various connection units 10, 4 and/or 5, and/or the first electronic means 3.
  • the connection units 10, 4 and 5, like the first electronic means 3, can be assembled directly on the printed circuit 7.
  • the electrical connection between the connection units 10 and the electrical loads 2, like the electrical connection between different electronic devices 1, can be achieved by means of connection wiring of known type 9.

Abstract

The invention refers to an electronic device for electrical power distribution that connection units electrically connected to electrical loads and to bypass devices connected in parallel with said electrical loads.

Description

AN ELECTRONIC DEVICE FOR ELECTRICAL POWER DISTRIBUTION
DESCRIPTION
The present invention relates to an electronic device for electrical power distribution, for use in civil and industrial low- voltage electronic applications. In particular, the present invention refers to an electronic device, which is capable of distributing electrical power to a plurality of loads electrically connected in series.
In certain industrial low-voltage electronic applications, such as in electronic networks for ambient lighting, a current generator provides electrical power to a plurality of electrical loads consisting, for instance, of solid-state lighting appliances, such as power LED (Light Emitting Diodes) devices. These electrical loads are generally powered by a current and are consequently connected in series with one another. Certain, more complex electronic applications, such as lighting networks with several chromatic channels, include homogeneous groups of electrical loads. In electronic ambient lighting networks, for instance, each group comprises the LED lighting devices belonging to the same chromatic channel. Within each group, the electrical loads are connected in series with one another. The serial connection of the above-mentioned electrical loads has certain drawbacks. A first drawback derives from the fact that the failure of any one of the electrical loads automatically cuts off the electrical current along the whole set of loads connected in series. Still in the field of electronic ambient lighting networks, this means that the failure of one LED device causes an interruption in the service of the whole chromatic channel to which the faulty device belongs. As a consequence, it may be very difficult to identify the failure and replace the faulty LED device.
In the case of particularly extensive groups of electrical loads connected in series, comprising dozens of loads connected to one another, the related wiring and installation can become extremely laborious, taking a great deal of time and entailing considerable costs. There is also a strong likelihood of error in the serial connection, a circumstance exacerbated by the fact that it can prove particularly complex to identify any faults because the group connected in series cannot function until all the electrical loads comprising the group have been connected with one another correctly.
The main technical aim of the present invention is thus to realize an electronic device for electrical power distribution that enables the above-described drawbacks to be overcome. As part of this aim, an object of the present invention is to realize an electronic device that is particularly suitable for use in industrial low- voltage electronic applications, and particularly in electronic ambient lighting networks. Another object of the present invention is to realize an electronic device that facilitates the installation of even very extensive and complex groups of electrical loads in series.
Another object of the present invention is to realize an electronic device that enables the operational functioning of a group of electrical loads connected in series even in the event of a fault in one or more of said loads.
A further object of the present invention is to realize an electronic device that enables a quick and effective identification of any installation errors and/or any faults in the serially connected electrical loads.
Another object of the present invention is to realize an electronic device that is easy to manufacture and at a competitive cost.
This technical aim and these objects, as well as other objects that will emerge from the subsequent description and attached drawings, are achieved, according to the invention, by an electronic device for electrical power distribution, according to the following claim 1.
Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will be easier to understand by referring to the description provided below and to the attached figures, provided simply for illustrative and non-limiting purposes, wherein: figure 1 schematically illustrates a first embodiment of the electronic device, according to the present invention, comprising only one group of electrical loads connected in series; figure 2 schematically illustrates a further embodiment of an electronic device, according to the present invention, comprising three groups of electrical loads connected in series; figure 3 illustrates a further embodiment of the electronic device, according to the present invention, already illustrated in figure 2; figure 4 schematically illustrates an electronic network comprising several electronic devices, according to the present invention.
With reference to the above-mentioned figures, the present invention refers to an electronic device 1 for electrical power distribution, particularly suitable for implementing the connection of several electrical loads 2 connected in series with one another. The electrical loads 2 may be of any type. In the case of the electronic device 1 being used in an electronic network for ambient lighting (figure 4), the electrical loads 2 may consist of LED type lighting devices, for instance.
The electronic device 1 comprises a plurality of first connection units 10, connected in series with one another. The connection units 10 preferably consist of known electronic devices, of the RJ45 type. The number of said connection units 10 may vary according to need. Generally speaking, an electronic device 1 may comprise M connection units 10, where M is an integer of two or more. Figure 1 shows an electronic device 1, where M=2 connection units 10. In figure 2, there are M=3 connection units 10 in the electronic device 1, while in each of the electronic devices 1 illustrated in figures 3-4, there are M=6 connection units 10. Each connection unit 10 is complete with one or more pairs of input/output terminals. For each of the connection units 10, the number of the pairs of input/output terminals can vary according to need. Generally speaking, this number amounts to N, where N is one or more. For instance, in figure 1, each connection unit 10 comprises only one pair of input/output terminals (Ia, Ib), whereas in figure 2, each connection unit 10 comprises three pairs of input/output terminals (Ia, Ib), (2a, 2b) and (3a, 3b). Each pair of input/output terminals is connected to an electrical load 2, and to first electronic means 3, connected in parallel with the electrical load 2. When required to do so, the first electronic means 3 are capable of short- circuiting the electrical load 2, thereby excluding it from the series connection. For this purpose, the first electronic means 3 preferably comprise a bypass device consisting, for instance, of a circuit breaker that can be operated directly by the user or by a remote control device (not shown), when the user decides to exclude the corresponding electrical load 2 from the connection in series, or when said load 2 is absent.
As mentioned previously, the first connection units 10 are connected in series with one another. This means that the corresponding pairs of input/output terminals of the first connection units of the electronic device are connected in series with one another. With reference to figure 2, the output terminals Ib, 2b and 3b of the pairs of terminals (Ia, Ib), (2a, 2b) and (3a, 3b) of the connection unit 10a are respectively connected to the input terminals Ia, 2a and 3a of the pairs of terminals (Ia, Ib), (2a, 2b) and (3a, 3b) of the connection unit 10b. The output terminals Ib, 2b and 3b of the pairs of terminals (Ia, Ib), (2a, 2b) and (3a, 3b) of the connection unit 10b are in turn connected to the input terminals Ib, 2b and 3b of the pairs of terminals (Ia, Ib), (2a, 2b) and (3a, 3b) of the connection unit 10c. It is easy to see that this type of connection can be repeated for all the M connection units 10 in the electronic device 1. It is also evident that the set of electrical loads 2, each of which is connected, for instance, to a pair of terminals (Ia, Ib) of each connection unit 10, forms a group of electrical loads 2 connected in series with one another. Each electronic device 1 thus contains N groups of electrical loads, each of said groups comprising M electrical loads 2, connected in series with one another. Each group can be advantageously powered separately. The electronic device 1 is particularly suitable for the creation of low- voltage electronic power distribution networks, i.e. for voltages below 3KV. In fact, the input terminals of the pairs of input/output terminals of the first of the connection units 10 can be advantageously connected to an electrical power source 100 (to close the power distribution circuit) or to another electronic device 1 situated upstream. Similarly, the output terminals of the pairs of input/output terminals of the last of said connection units can be connected to the electrical power source 100 or to another electronic device 1 situated downstream. Groups of electronic devices can thus be created, that are connected in series with one another like the electronic devices Ia and Ib illustrated in figure 4. To facilitate this connection, each electronic device 1 preferably comprises a second input connection unit 4, connected in series upstream from the first connection units 10 to connect the electronic device 1 to another electronic device 1 situated upstream, or to an electrical power source 100. Correspondingly, the electronic device 1 comprises a third output connection unit 5, which is connected in series downstream from the first connection units 10. The output connection unit 5 connects the electronic device 1 to another electronic device situated downstream. Connection means 3 can be advantageously associated with the connection unit 5 to exclude the devices connected downstream, as necessary.
In practice, it has been demonstrated that the electronic device 1 according to the present invention enables the above-stated objects to be achieved.
Using the electronic means 3 enables a single electrical load 2 that has failed, that has not been connected correctly, or that is absent, to be excluded from the connection in series, thus enabling the remainder of the group to which the electrical load belongs to function normally. At the same time, it also enables the rapid identification of an electrical load 2 that is not functioning. This enables a drastic reduction in the timing and costs of installation and servicing of an electronic network that includes one or more electrical loads connected in series with one another.
This makes an electronic device 1 according to the present invention particularly suitable for use in industrial low- voltage electronic applications, and especially in electronic ambient lighting networks of the type illustrated in figure 4.
It has also been established that the electronic device 1 according to the present invention is particularly easy and economical to manufacture. As illustrated in figures 3-4, in fact, the electronic device 1 comprises a printed circuit 7 whereon connection traces 8 are prepared using known methods in order to connect the various connection units 10, 4 and/or 5, and/or the first electronic means 3. The connection units 10, 4 and 5, like the first electronic means 3, can be assembled directly on the printed circuit 7. The electrical connection between the connection units 10 and the electrical loads 2, like the electrical connection between different electronic devices 1, can be achieved by means of connection wiring of known type 9.

Claims

1. An electronic device for electrical power distribution to a plurality of electrical loads connected in series with one another, characterized in that it comprises a plurality of first connection units connected in series with one another, each of said first connection units being complete with one or more pairs of input/output terminals, each pair of input/output terminals being electrically connected to one of said in electrical loads and to first electronic means, electrically connected in parallel with said electrical load in order to short-circuit said electrical load, as necessary.
2. An electronic device according to claim 1, characterized in that said first electronic means comprise a bypass device, said device being electrically connected to said pair of input/output terminals, in parallel with said electrical load.
3. An electronic device according to one or more of the previous claims, characterized in that the input terminals of the pairs of input/output terminals of one of said connection units are electrically connected to an electrical power source or to a further electronic device situated upstream from said electronic device.
4. An electronic device according to one or more of the previous claims, characterized in that the output terminals of the pairs of input/output terminals of one of said first connection units are electrically connected to an electrical power source and/or to a further electronic device situated downstream from said electronic device.
5. An electronic device according to one or more of the previous claims, characterized in that the output terminals of the pairs of input/output terminals of one of said connection units are electrically connected to the input terminals of corresponding pairs of input/output terminals of a subsequent connection unit.
6. An electronic device according to claim 5, characterized in that a set of electrical loads electrically connected to corresponding pairs of input/output terminals of successive first connection units forms a group of electrical loads electrically connected in series.
7. An electronic device according to claim 7, characterized in that said group is powered separately from other groups of electrical loads.
8. An electronic device according to one or more of the previous claims, characterized in that it comprises M first connection units, where M is an integer of two or more.
9. An electronic device according to one or more of the previous claims, characterized in that each of said first connection units comprises N pairs of input/output terminals, where N is an integer of one or more.
10. An electronic device according to one or more of the previous claims, characterized in that it comprises a second input connection unit, electrically connected upstream from said first connection unit for electrically connecting said electronic device to a further electronic device and/or to an electrical power source.
11. An electronic device according to one or more of the previous claims, characterized in that it comprises a third output connection unit, connected electrically downstream from said first connection unit for electrically connecting said electronic device to a further electronic device.
12. An electronic ambient lighting network, characterized in that it comprises one or more electronic devices according to one or more of the previous claims.
PCT/EP2007/052192 2006-03-10 2007-03-08 An electronic device for electrical power distribution. WO2007104703A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
IT000032A ITTV20060032A1 (en) 2006-03-10 2006-03-10 AN ELECTRONIC DEVICE FOR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER.
ITTV2006A000032 2006-03-10

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2007104703A1 true WO2007104703A1 (en) 2007-09-20

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PCT/EP2007/052192 WO2007104703A1 (en) 2006-03-10 2007-03-08 An electronic device for electrical power distribution.

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IT (1) ITTV20060032A1 (en)
WO (1) WO2007104703A1 (en)

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5886423A (en) * 1997-09-10 1999-03-23 Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc. Electric series circuit
US5962929A (en) * 1998-04-22 1999-10-05 Lockheed Martin Corporation Fault tolerant power distribution
EP0955619A1 (en) * 1998-05-05 1999-11-10 Sagem Sa Management method of a traffic light source
US6153980A (en) * 1999-11-04 2000-11-28 Philips Electronics North America Corporation LED array having an active shunt arrangement

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5886423A (en) * 1997-09-10 1999-03-23 Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc. Electric series circuit
US5962929A (en) * 1998-04-22 1999-10-05 Lockheed Martin Corporation Fault tolerant power distribution
EP0955619A1 (en) * 1998-05-05 1999-11-10 Sagem Sa Management method of a traffic light source
US6153980A (en) * 1999-11-04 2000-11-28 Philips Electronics North America Corporation LED array having an active shunt arrangement

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
ITTV20060032A1 (en) 2007-09-11

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